Summer showdown for premier potters

Nick Campbell will face defending champion Chris Heim at the Boston Arms in June

THE countdown is on after officials from the Chalk Farm Pool League announced this week the names of the top potters who will be battling it out on the green baize this summer.

More than 125 pool players entered the league’s coveted singles championships and, when the chalk dust settled, defending champion Chris Heim, who plays for Queen’s Crescent-based side Sir Robert Peel, and King’s Cross Hurricanes’ star Nick Campbell, were the last two men standing.

Chris Heim

There was no surprise that Roy “Rolls Royce” Cooper, who plays for the Boston Arms, is also back in the final as he looks to win his eighth senior title in seven years by overcoming Boston Rimmer Des Murphy.

The summertime showpiece, which will be held at the Boston Arms pub in Tufnell Park on June 4, could bring with it family fortunes for the Coopers with Roy’s son Rory teaming up with Kevin Howard to take on Hurricanes’ Nick Phillips and Ajay Gohil in the doubles final.

Pool aces Des Murphy (left) and Roy Cooper will play for the Bill O’Connor Senior Trophy when they meet in the final this summer

King’s Cross Gunner Ursula Zalewska will also take to the table for her eagerly awaited ladies’ final against Peckwater Tenants Association’s Bernadette Bryne.

“We are all thrilled by the number of entries and the number of new teams that have got involved in our competitions this season,” said league secretary Simon Wild.

“This year marks the Chalk Farm Pool League’s 40th anniversary, and the standard of play that we have seen on tables across Camden and Islington is a fitting tribute to all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.”